An inaugural pilot program—powered by Bambuser—launched April 6 and features an online interactive fashion event with made-to-order shopping from debut collections designed by recent alumni from FIT’s School of Graduate Studies.
Go to dtech.fitnyc.edu/live to watch the show!
FIT is advancing its investment in experiential learning through the launch of DTech Live, a series of interactive events powered by Bambuser, that will connect designers directly with consumers for a live shopping experience. An extension of FIT’s Innovation Center and a first-of-its-kind initiative in higher education, DTech Live fosters innovation by practice, facilitating the exploration of business and creativity through emerging technology and real-world experience. DTech Live debuts Tuesday, April 6, at 1 pm, with 7 Collections, a fashion pilot featuring the extraordinary work of FIT alumni from seven countries, all of whom earned MFAs in Fashion Design.
FIT was selected by Bambuser as its first partner from the global higher education category. A worldwide leader in interactive live video shopping, Bambuser is the platform of choice for companies such as Moda Operandi, Farfetch, and Clarins that are seeking deeper connections with customers across digital platforms.
“We are pleased to provide FIT’s emerging designers with the exclusive opportunity to leverage the same new technology that is driving innovation for some of the world’s leading luxury fashion and beauty brands,” said Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT. “We are especially proud to debut 7 Collections to a broad audience, expanding FIT’s commitment to supporting new alumni in their role as valued contributors to the creative economy.”
During the 7 Collections presentation, the audience was invited to view garments shown in engaging videos; watch one-on-one conversations with the designers and Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT; engage in a live chat; and have the opportunity to purchase a selection of custom made-to-order items from the collections of these emerging designers. The alumni discussed their inspiration, what comes next in their careers, and how they were influenced by their diverse backgrounds and geographies. Items available for purchase include head-to-toe looks as well as dresses, coats, and accessories. All proceeds from sales will go directly to the designers who will have full oversight of garment customization and fulfillment.
“7 Collections celebrates beautiful design while seamlessly connecting creativity to commerce,” said Cathleen Sheehan, professor and acting chair, Fashion Design MFA. “Through this experience, the designers overcame the challenges of the pandemic to focus on craftsmanship while remaining true to their artistic vision. The breadth of themes and approaches represented is very exciting, and we can’t wait to watch these designers shape the future of fashion.”
FIT’s partnership with Bambuser enables unprecedented experimentation with the next generation of fashion design talent. “FIT is a widely respected force of positive transformation in fashion and other creative industries worldwide, making them a perfect partner for Bambuser,“ said Maryam Ghahremani, CEO of Bambuser. “As our first collaboration with an educational institution, we view our relationship with FIT as a perfect opportunity to nurture the next generation of fashion industry talent and provide insights for working across the entire value chain. We look forward to innovating together to drive the future of interactive customer experiences.”
DTech Live, the latest launch from the FIT DTech Lab (dtech.fitnyc.edu), is reimagining how designers and brands connect with consumers. “Innovation requires tremendous determination, resilience, and agility,” said Michael Ferraro, executive director of DTech Lab. “The designers featured in 7 Collections developed these critical career skills through a learning environment that models professional practice and closely connects students to industry.”
DTech Live will continue to bring together students, faculty, and industry partners to experiment and solve real-world problems at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and technology. Its next project is set to debut in the fall.